Story Ideas

Looking to find something new, unique, quirky or fun for an upcoming story? We are here to help! To start below is an overview of what’s new in the Stevens Point Area.

Local Makers in the Stevens Point Area

Fun on the Water in the Stevens Point Area

Biking in the Stevens Point Area

If you don't see what you need, contact us. 

What’s New for 2026

New Construction/Capital Projects

Downtown Stevens Point has welcomed some fresh faces, and in 2026 a few will be marking their first year in business. Sister’s Corner Store brings locally owned convenience to the neighborhood, Caed Confections delights with handcrafted sweets, and Retro Central blends vintage charm with modern finds. Together, these additions bring even more personality to the heart of downtown.

Also adding to the vibrancy of downtown is a brand-new mural located behind Guu’s On Main. Created by local artist Jeni Lila, the piece honors aviation history in the Stevens Point area.

On campus, the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point continues to grow and evolve. The new Health and Wellness Center opened in 2025, offering students and the community a welcoming space focused on well-being. Looking ahead, Albertson Hall, a beloved campus landmark, is set to reopen with a grand celebration in 2026, reimagined to serve the next generation of learners.

Thirsty? In partnership with UW–Stevens Point Athletics, Point Brewery introduced the Pointer All-American beer—now on tap for fans to enjoy at home games in Goerke Park. Additionally, Point Brewery, which survived Prohibition by adding sodas to its menu, is now producing Non-Alcoholic options of your favorite brews.

Food + Farm Exploration Center added on it’s educational Greenhouse, offering a year-round space for families, garden enthusiasts, and food lovers to experience the magic of growing food! From educational programs to hands-on experiences, it’s designed to highlight the roots of local agriculture and inspire new conversations around sustainability.

Anniversaries & Celebrations

2026 marks milestone years for businesses like the Stevens Point Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, serving the local visitor economy for 40 years. Don’t miss the 100^th year of the Rosholt Fair. One of the region’s most beloved traditions, the fair continues to honor its rich history while bringing people together year after year. This year also marks the 20th Annual Central Waters River Run, a community favorite that combines fitness, fun, and (of course) beer.

More reasons to visit the Stevens Point Area

Here are spots to explore, away from crowds in central Wisconsin.

• Get a beautiful view and insider tips with our guide to the top 10 secluded spots in the Stevens Point Area.
• Love biking and beer? Travel the Tomorrow River State Trail with a stop at Central Waters, a barrel-aging giant in the Stevens Point Area. Get tips for the trip, in our ride guide.
• Stake out your perfect piece of shoreline – and a great getaway – with these waterfront rentals in the Stevens Point Area.
• Hidden Beaches are the perfect spot for summer fun – and on the Wisconsin River flowage in the Stevens Point Area, there are plenty of sandbars to enjoy. Learn more about Maple Island Beach, one of the most popular hidden beaches, in our guide to hidden beaches.
• Find the best spots for mocktails in the Stevens Point Area, with our guide to where to find them on the menu in central Wisconsin. 
• Traveling with the family and looking for places to explore? Check out the Kid’s Guide to the Green Circle Trail with recommendations by trail segment.

Wellness Travel - trips planned around outdoor recreation including urban recreation, unplugging, healthy foods locally sourced

• Start your day exploring local art from murals to sculptures – including a stop at the massive 150 feet wide ‘E Pluribus Unum’ mural or the giant ‘Sand County Bench’. Then, pick up a picnic lunch from the Stevens Point Area Co-op or some Vegan comfort food from Wicked Willow, before venturing out on the Green Circle Trail. Those interested in locally sourced food can find details in the Farm Fresh Atlas, produced by the Central Rivers Farmshed. Get your farm-to-table fix at Adelante, a local food marketplace that is part coffee roastery and part community gathering space through Liberation Farmers. For more local finds, head straight to the source for brunch on the farm at Lonely Oak Farms, during the growing season. Learn more about the local makers in the Stevens Point Area – then go and meet them yourself.

Volunteer Opportunities for Travelers

• Looking for a unique way to be a part of the winemaking experience? Go behind the scenes at Rock Ridge Vineyard - and help harvest grapes in the early fall - for this one-of-a-kind experience in the Stevens Point Area. This free agritourism experience puts you in the fields where wine begins its journey at Rock Ridge Vineyard. Typically harvest begins in late August through September, but it depends on a number of factors.

Inclusive and Accessible – itinerary ideas for multicultural, LGBTQ+ and accessible travel

• Must-see events include; central Wisconsin’s largest Jazz Festival (Riverfront Jazz Festival), one of the Midwest’s first art shows of the year (Festival of the Arts), a chance to view working local artist studios (Hidden Studios Art Tour), a comic-con meets canoeing adventure (Paddlequest), AIRO Pow-wow and the Festival of India, and Bluegrass in the Pines.

Heritage and Culture 

• Cultural Commons - Visit this interactive and educational community space located in Pfiffner Pioneer Park along the Wisconsin River in Stevens Point. The Park seeks to join the cultural influences of the community from the influence of the Native Americans who first settled here to the sister cities, including native plantings and sculptures.
• For more on the local influence, don’t miss the Menomonie Clans Story, at the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. The exhibit, located in Albertson Hall, explores the clan structure, origin story, love songs, lullabies, and more.
• See art and heritage in action, with Karen Ann Hoffman, the 2020 NEA National Heritage Fellow as she shares her talents as a Haudenosaunee Raised Beadworker.

Unique Culinary Offerings

• Go beyond the traditional Wisconsin favorites with 26 things worth trying in the StevensPoint Area - from A to Z. Most notably – a Rusty’s Bloody Mary, the Fried Chicken Donut Sandwich, the nearly foot tall Large Cone, Vegan Banana Pancakes, or the apps at Wissota (stick with the classic, like the giant bavarian pretzel - with beer cheese, of course! - or get adventurous with grilled octopus, crispy rabbit wontons, or the Neuske bacon
  slab.)
• More popular local flavor must-do’s include; Eggs Benedict crepes and single-origin coffee at Ruby, grab a locally made item from Agora Local Makers Market, enjoy brunch on the farm (May-October) at Lonely Oak Farms, eat your way around the state’s oldest farmers market in downtown Stevens Point (held 6 days a week during the growing season, and shifts indoors for the winter from November-April), fresh-made smoked gouda pretzels from Main Grain Bakery to bring along as a snack to Central Waters Brewing Company for a barrel-aged beer – as part of the Central Wisconsin Craft Collective (a partnership of all of the craft beer, wine and spirits makers in the region).